MAVS NEWS:

[DanSchwartzgan]

Is there something Jason Kidd knows that the rest of the world doesnt?

The last part was the interesting part…a Kyrie/Flagg back court.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6769656...ason-kidd/


Here's the full story.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

The last part was the interesting part…a Kyrie/Flagg back court.

Yes.  I hate it.

Let's keep it real.  Flagg has been awful.  Why keep playing him at guard?

I've said it about a thousand times now. Against NBA wings and guards, he does not have the skill or athletic advantage. Against NBA bigs, he does.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Yes.  I hate it.

Let's keep it real.  Flagg has been awful.  Why keep playing him at guard?

They need to start D'Lo going forward until Ky comes back.  He's not going to play well every game, but he was good last night and is probably more of a combo guard that can play the point.

[Jym]

Obviously, I won’t complain if we get a Top 4 pick.  The point I tried to make the other day was that none of us are going to like what comes with that.  What comes with that is probably another injury filled season from Davis that further tanks his value.  If we could get a few good months from Davis (which probably kills the top four pick thing), the value we could get from in in trade might be substantial.  If he’s really bad or continues to be unavailable, then we are talking Dinwiddie/Bertans type packages if he can be moved at all.

I just don't know why you would trade him unless he gets frustrated and asks for a trade which could be possible I guess 
Like in a alternative timeline where we had Flagg and the assets from a suitable Luka trade, I would like to use some of those to pair Davis with a year 2 Flagg
But that's the whole issue and why this is a sticky situation. In that scenario we'd use what maybe 1/3 of the valuable Luka assets to get a Davis level guy while still having a whole stockpile of other picks and assets to use for other moves

[Chicagojk]

I was really hoping AD would work as a PF. I don’t want to give that up yet, but it hasn’t looked good yet. I will give it at least 40 games because I view this year as an evaluation year.

Although, after that u may need to have the conversation with Lively about making him the 6th starter (if he can stay healthy). That means Gafford is probably moved. I would hope a veteran team would take Klay off your hands for expirings and a second or 2. I have the same thoughts on Marshall. Good player on good contract. I just think of you have Ad, lively and PJ on your rotation, the rest of the guys need to be able to shoot. Can Marshall do this?

[Chicagojk]

This season does suck so far for evaluation and results, but imagine how bad it would be if we didn’t win the lottery and fully experienced Nico’s vision. With Ad and Lively already out this would probably be the most helpless nba team with the Kings. Without the lottery luck, Nico’s vision was a straight route to hell.

[vfromlmf]

I was really hoping AD would work as a PF....  I will give it at least 40 games because I view this year as an evaluation year.

That could take a while considering he's only started and finished 12 games since the trade.

... and there's a decent chance Luka plays 40 games for the Lakers before AD completes number 13.

[mvossman]

I just don't know why you would trade him unless he gets frustrated and asks for a trade which could be possible I guess 
Like in a alternative timeline where we had Flagg and the assets from a suitable Luka trade, I would like to use some of those to pair Davis with a year 2 Flagg
But that's the whole issue and why this is a sticky situation. In that scenario we'd use what maybe 1/3 of the valuable Luka assets to get a Davis level guy while still having a whole stockpile of other picks and assets to use for other moves

Davis would be low on the list of guys I would trade for if I started with Flagg.  Their timelines don't match up at all.  AD wants to play the 4 which is probably Flagg's best position.  AD slows down the offense while Flagg wants to run.  Given his age, injury history and massive contract, he might be a negative asset in a year or two.  Makes no sense to spend assets on a win now player when your generational talent is 18 and will need a couple of years to get there.

[Jym]

Davis would be low on the list of guys I would trade for if I started with Flagg.  Their timelines don't match up at all.  AD wants to play the 4 which is probably Flagg's best position.  AD slows down the offense while Flagg wants to run.  Given his age, injury history and massive contract, he might be a negative asset in a year or two.  Makes no sense to spend assets on a win now player when your generational talent is 18 and will need a couple of years to get there.

I do wonder when Flagg will be ready 
Like I was harping on wanting more win-now moves around Luka there in year 2 but people here were saying "no not yet. He's not ready"
When honestly year 2 or 3 were possibly some of our best chances to make a run if we had a some better players around him. So special and healthy against those Clipper teams

[KillerLeft]

I do wonder when Flagg will be ready 

He's ready to contribute right now, this very second...just not as the main ball-handler/focal point/main initiator of an offense. 

I'm frustrated by this need the fans seem to have to compare him to Luka, but frankly it's hard to blame them when the organization seems dead set on forcing that comparison into our minds.

[mvossman]

I do wonder when Flagg will be ready 
Like I was harping on wanting more win-now moves around Luka there in year 2 but people here were saying "no not yet. He's not ready"
When honestly year 2 or 3 were possibly some of our best chances to make a run if we had a some better players around him. So special and healthy against those Clipper teams

Yeah, I think Luka and Flagg were/are on very different timelines.  Luka played multiple years in professional basketball, at a significantly higher level than college.  Flagg played one year in College.  I think it will be a couple of years before we even know what Flagg is going to be.

[rocky164]

Put me in the AD at the 4 camp will never work. Our front line needs to be PJ/Flagg at the wings with AD and Lively managing the 5. I know neither AD or Lively is available now due to health making Gafford a great guy to have. So, because they both play the same position, and both should be starters if healthy, one of Lively or AD has to go eventually. With Flagg’s timeline that should be AD. I think Max is a rotation player but not sure he’s starter level and he’s definitely not a PG. Klay is a locker room leader and a positive presence but at least in the majority of lineups he’s played with this year is not a positive on the floor. We need help at both guard positions and maybe Kyrie fixes everything as long as AD only plays the 5. I’ll hold on until Kyrie returns, but the only reason to watch the Mavs now is to watch Flagg develop. And even that’s not enjoyable with him being forced to play out of position. That has to change.

[Chicagojk]

No surprise but Lively is out again on Monday. Maybe, just maybe, the mavs can provide a worthwhile update to their loyal fans.

[Smitty]

He's ready to contribute right now, this very second...just not as the main ball-handler/focal point/main initiator of an offense. 

I will push back on this a bit. A lot of fans think that because Flagg is starting at PG that he’s being used that way in games most or all of his time on the floor and it’s just not true. I mean, Klay Thompson has a higher usage percentage than Flagg. Cooper spends about 80% off his time on the court off-ball. If we’re going to criticize Kidd for Flaggs poor play, it’s going to be a long draining season.

Flagg is not a complete offensive player. We’ve known that for quite a while. I think he’ll get there, but we’re impatient and love to point fingers. 6 games in and I’ve seen posts that Flagg is not close to being a generational player and Kidd is an idiot for having him handle the ball for 6-10 minutes a game…

[KillerLeft]

I will push back on this a bit. A lot of fans think that because Flagg is starting at PG that he’s being used that way in games most or all of his time on the floor and it’s just not true. I mean, Klay Thompson has a higher usage percentage than Flagg. Cooper spends about 80% off his time on the court off-ball. If we’re going to criticize Kidd for Flaggs poor play, it’s going to be a long draining season.

Flagg is not a complete offensive player. We’ve known that for quite a while. I think he’ll get there, but we’re impatient and love to point fingers. 6 games in and I’ve seen posts that Flagg is not close to being a generational player and Kidd is an idiot for having him handle the ball for 6-10 minutes a game…

I am quite content to blame Kidd for anything/everything, including the weather and the government shutdown. My dog is whining to go outside right now, as I type this, and I'm pretty sure I could find a way to blame Kidd for that, tbqhwy.

In all seriousness, my point is that there are ways in which Flagg is quite ready to compete right now, and none of them require him to be "a complete offensive player." That expectation is the problem, as I see it.

[myconsumerclub]

Brooklyn seems serious about tanking and winning the worst record race. We are not too far behind. Wonder how long it takes for Kidd to recognize that we are out of contention to even make the play in and he starts tanking.

[Chicagojk]

Tonight may be a tough night.    Dwight is a try hard player but gets exposed when he gets regular minutes.  Especially against physical bigs.   You can't blame him though.  He will give 100%.   

I just don't know how Dallas is going to score or really defend well now.    2-5 is likely.

[Smitty]

@NationMffl
Marc Stein on Kyrie Irving:

“I continue to be told that there is no firm return date in mind for Irving, who sustained a torn ACL in his left knee March 3 against Sacramento and had surgery in late March. Any timeline, as relayed to me over the weekend, must continue to be described as "fluid" even though the 33-year-old does look undeniably good every time he is seen in public with a ball in his hands.”

[Smitty]

Tonight may be a tough night.    Dwight is a try hard player but gets exposed when he gets regular minutes.  Especially against physical bigs.   You can't blame him though.  He will give 100%.   

I just don't know how Dallas is going to score or really defend well now.    2-5 is likely.

It's going to be tough to beat anyone in this league without arguably your 3 best players. HOU -12.5 feels like a good bet, if you're into that sort of thing.